Tuberculosis is (TB) a bacterial disorder caused by an acid fast bacillus. The treatment of TB is necessary in order to prevent its transmission to health individuals. The span of therapy could vary from six to nine months depending upon the type of TB. For example to cure latent TB usually nine months treatment is required.

Anti-TB Drugs

Adherence to drug therapy is the major problem for most of the TB patients. One of the common reasons of this poor compliance rate is the side effects induced by TB drugs. Here is a list of some common side effects caused by Anti TB therapy with their treatment.

No.

Side effects

Type of drugs

Intervention

Minor Side Effects (Continue drug therapy)

01

Loss of appetite, Abdominal pain, Nausea

Rifampicin

Pyrazindamide

Advise the patient to take your drugs with small meals

02

Joint pain

Isoniazid

Use NSAIDs like aspirin

03

Sensation of burning in feet

Isoniazid

Use vitamin B6 (Pyridoxin) 100mg daily

04

Red or orange color urine

Rifampicin

It’s harmless and does not require any treatment

05

Skin rashes, Itching

Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Streptomycin

Refer your patient to TB center (where treatment is available)

Major Side Effects (Discontinue drug therapy)

01

Deafness (ototoxicity)

Streptomycin

Refer your patient to TB center (where treatment is available)

02

Jaundice (yellowish discoloration of urine, eye, and body)

Most anti- Drugs

Refer your patient to TB center (where treatment is available)

03

Visual impairment (peripheral neuritis)

Ethambutol

Refer your patient to TB center (where treatment is available)

04

Shock, abnormal urination, skin rashes, exanthema and pruritus

Ethambutol

Refer your patient to TB center (where treatment is available)

Note:

Above list is comprises of only some common adverse effects of Anti-Tb therapy. There will be number of other adverse effects that will be suffered by patients.